Monday, November 19, 2012

CAIR:Oklahoma Muslim on No-Fly List to Return to U.S.On Monday, November 19, representatives of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will meet a Muslim Air force veteran who had been barred from returning to Oklahoma when he finally arrives at Will Rogers World Airport.WHAT: CAIR-OK Reps to Meet Muslim Veteran Barred From U.S. By No-Fly ListWHEN: Monday, November 19, Following Scheduled 5:02 p.m. (Central) ArrivalWHERE: Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City, OKCONTACT: CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Jenell Mapp-Maynard, 405-328-8056, E-mail:; CAIR-OK Board Member Saad Mohammed 405-210-4775 (For full media advisory, clickhere.)

(NEW YORK, NY, 11/18/12) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the FBI to investigate an apparently bias-motivated assault on a Queens man of Afghan heritage who was stabbed repeatedly outside a mosque by an attacker shouting anti-Muslim comments. A friend of the victim reported that the alleged attacker said "he doesn't like Muslims."

"The FBI should add its resources to the investigation of this apparent hate crime, and state and national leaders should address the rising level of anti-Muslim bigotry that inevitably results in such disturbing incidents," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Muneer Awad.

In October, CAIR's Washington state chapter (CAIR-WA) called on the FBI to investigate an apparent anti-Muslim hate attack on a Sikh taxi driver in that state. The driver was allegedly attacked by a man shouting anti-Muslim slurs after he commented on the cabbie's turban. [NOTE: Sikh men who wear beards and turbans as part of their faith are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.]

Other American Muslim institutions have been targeted during a recent spike in hate incidents. In September, CAIR called on the FBI to investigate hate vandalism at mosques in Virginia and New York. In August, CAIR asked authorities to investigate a suspicious fire at a mosque in Minnesota.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.